Transboundary and emerging animal diseases have been increasing in occurrence over the past decades. Diseases which were once only reported outside of Europe’s borders are now more frequently occurring on European soil, and not solely in the continent’s southern climes. When a new disease outbreak is serious enough to impact food production and the agricultural economy, very often the first reaction is to come knocking on the doors of veterinary medicines manufacturers to request rapid development of vaccines.
In 2024 the reactive approach to disease prevention was relatively sufficient as vaccines existed already for avian influenza and the strain of bluetongue virus (BTv3) was known to the industry, although no vaccines were available at the time of the outbreak in the Netherlands. In the case of bluetongue, the animal health sector swiftly developed and distributed the much-needed vaccines to limit the impact of this outbreak on Europe’s farming sector.
It is only a question of time until the next animal disease outbreak occurs – be it a known or a new disease
Relying on the reactive approach may not be the best strategy to protect Europe’s animals – and maybe even our human population – from the next inevitable disease outbreak. We need a fundamental shift from a “firefighting” approach to a “fire prevention” approach. Otherwise, the consequences of a future outbreak could spiral beyond our control, dealing a serious blow to European agriculture, public health, and the wider economy.
Global trade, rapid and more international travel, a more prolonged and wider presence range of disease-carrying vectors, alongside sometimes contradictory animal health and trade policies are increasing both the risks and negative impacts of disease outbreaks among animals, and their potential spillover to people. Changes in climate also serve to exacerbate the challenges, with rising temperatures and fluctuations in rainfall patterns affecting the incidence and spread of diseases across Europe.
A challenge to be faced head on
When authorities send urgent requests for a vaccine to be developed and supplied only after the emergence of an outbreak, it is very difficult for companies to act within the required timeframe to immediately address the outbreak. So, this raises a number of pertinent questions.
- Are the authorities really satisfied with the status quo of last-minute decisions?
- Are livestock farmers content with having to bear the costs and mental health burden of animal culling and/or fatalities during disease outbreaks?
- Is the financial risk for companies developing vaccines – that may or may not be sold in the event of an outbreak – not a matter of concern for national economies?
Time for a structured dialogue between industry and the veterinary community
A more structured partnership, based on a 3Rs approach – but not the ones you think – would help to ensure industry can anticipate demands for vaccines and increase preparedness to ensure predictable disease outbreaks are prevented and managed more effectively. This would also help respond to increasing societal opposition to mass culls.
The new 3Rs
Everyone has heard of ‘Reduce, Reuse, Recycle’ and those working with animals for scientific purposes will know the ‘Reduce, Refine, Replace’ principle. What the animal health industry would like to see now is:
- Regular Dialogue between industry and national chief veterinary officers
- Rapid and early decisions on whether a vaccination programme will be implemented
- Risk sharing so that companies do not invest time and financial resources unduly
In the case of known diseases, surveillance data is available which could allow for rough predictions of the likelihood of disease occurrence and potential impacts, forming a baseline for regular discussions. Antigen banks could form part of the outbreak preparedness arsenal. And response could be further supported by adapted regulatory pathways with quicker authorisation processes aligned with specific needs.
Taking this 3Rs approach will not just help gain valuable time, but it will help protect the health and welfare of Europe’s animals, while preserving the farming community and Europe’s wider economy.